Her desire to learn has always been the driving force behind her success, propelling her to break new ground, leave her mark and pave the way for other women. Yolanda Msibi, the Emergency Management Services’ (EMS) Divisional Chief of Operations, oversees more than 400 firefighters spread across five fire stations in an area that covers Soweto, Eldorado Park, Freedom Park, parts of Lenasia and Southgate.
Msibi was the first black woman appointed to the role in 2015.
“I wanted to be the first black woman divisional chief of operations, and here I am. It is important to give women the opportunity to exhibit their talents, abilities, and skills,” she says.
Some of her responsibilities in rolling out emergency services to residents of the City include ensuring fire engines are running and that rescues are conducted efficiently.
Msibi was the incident commander during Khayalethu Magadla’s rescue in Dlamini, Soweto, in June, which lasted about 20 days.
Born in Ophongolo, KwaZulu-Natal, Msibi moved to Johannesburg after matric to pursue a career as an emergency technician. At the time, swimming was a requirement and hampered her immediate plan, which led to her volunteering at the City’s EMS/ambulance services for two years.
Through the volunteer programme, she completed a fire course and passed with flying colours, standing out as the best student. It proved to be an amazing opportunity to gain more information and knowledge. She also learned to drive fire trucks and obtained a driver’s licence.
After she showed how eager she was, she was appointed permanent firefighter in her early 20s. She didn’t notice a lot of women in managerial roles at the time and made that her ultimate goal.
Msibi says her upbringing played a major part in keeping her anchored to her dreams. As children her grandmother had always told them “as long as you go to school”, you’ll succeed in life.
Msibi excelled in biology, mathematics, and science. Her initial goal was to become a doctor. Her mother was a teacher, and her father was a doctor. She wanted to emulate him.
Msibi has always exuded a passion for learning and has excelled in academic courses and programmes throughout the years. She was the only woman who formed part of a development programme before she began to rise through the EMS ranks as a platoon commander, acting station commander, and then station commander while she continued studying. She completed a BCom in Management and a BTech in Fire Technology.
She says she feels happy to see more women appointed to managerial roles.
A bold leader, Msibi says she keeps a work-life balance. “I play when it’s time to play, but when it’s time to work, I don’t play, I work. I make sure discipline is instilled. In firefighting we work as a team.”
Msibi is convinced her vocation is to fight fires and attend to life-threatening emergencies, while providing support to her team as they execute their arduous duties.
“Ours is a difficult job. Sometimes you have to tell people they have lost a loved one. But it’s satisfying to give families closure.”
When she’s not in uniform, Msibi is at home cooking. One of her signature dishes is a lamb stew, and she likes spending time with loved ones.
Written by Brümilda Swartbooi
12/08/2022